Reward your dog with play and games, not food

Recently while in downtown Winter Park I ran into an acquaintance I hadn’t seen in quite some time. She was there with her dog. I noticed how much weight the dog had gained and I asked her what was going on. She told me about the personal and family challenges she had been facing, and how the dog was suffering as a result. Her dog loves food, so she tried to “cheer the dog up” by giving him whatever he wanted in the way of food. She justified it by saying it made him happy, and she wasn’t concerned about the health ramifications. That really puzzled me. Why would you over feed your dog as a pacifier knowing you’re compromising his quality of life and shortening his life span? This dog was so overweight and so out of shape he had trouble walking any distance at all! Dogs like this aren’t happy! And they don’t feel good!

Ultimately, your dog just wants to be with you. Instead of giving your dog the quick and easy food reward, why not take time and play with him? He’ll find that much more rewarding on many levels, plus he’ll feel better, and will be healthier! Other than fetch, what are some games you can play with your dog? Here are some suggestions for both inside and outside games.

For those inclement days, create an obstacle course inside your house. You can use rolled up blankets or towels for him to jump and tables or chairs for him to crawl under. Walk the course then have him sit and stay at the beginning of the course. Stand at the end of the course and call him to you. This game is only limited by your house and your imagination.

Find it – a great game for mental stimulation. This can be played inside or outside and can be done with a treats or toys. Increase the difficulty of the game by hiding multiple treats/toys and see how many he can find.

Tug of war. This is a great game for exercise, but is also a good way to teach your dog to get and release the toy on command. You need to be careful with this game however, if your dog guards toys.

Chase. Not a game for every dog, but if your dog enjoys it without wanting to tackle or nip you, this can be a lot of fun and good exercise for both of you. A variation of this game is “keep away” where one of you has a toy and doesn’t let the other get it. You just have to make sure you are in control of starting and stopping the game.

Hide and seek. You hide and call your dog to you. Wait to for him to find you. Start out in close proximity and gradually increase the distance. This is also good mental stimulation.

Teach your dog new commands, words, and tricks.

Food should never be used as a pacifier to make your dog feel better. It doesn’t work and the health consequences are grim. Instead, play with and enjoy your dog. After all, isn’t that why you brought him into your life?

Sherri Cappabianca, an expert in the field of canine health and fitness, is the author of two books on canine health, and co-owner of Rocky’s Retreat, an intimate and personal boarding, daycare, hydrotherapy and fitness center, and Barking Dog Fitness, a Gym for Dogs, both located in Orlando. For more information, visit rockysretreat.com or barkingdogfitness.com.